American Saddlebred Horse & Breeders Association

in.Mode Marketing LLC was proudly the official marketing and Public Relations agency of record for the once-a-year (make that once in a lifetime!) exciting and prestigious World’s Championship Horse Show (WCHS), held annually in conjunction with the Kentucky State Fair, and which crowns world champion Saddlebreds in an array of various divisions. Since its inception, 1902 and showcased the world’s most exquisite Saddlebred horses and their riders from across the globe. This year, more than 1,900 horses competed for over $1 million in awards, determined by a panel of equestrian professionals.

The event showcased the best of the best in equine competitions in divisions that included Three-Gaited, Five-Gaited, Fine Harness, Saddlebred Pleasure, Saddle Seat Equitation, Hackney/Harness Ponies, Roadster, In-Hand, and American Saddlebred. Each division includes several classes for amateurs, ladies, amateur ladies, junior exhibitors, and younger horses and ponies.

Horses or riders who win earn the title of World’s Championship Horse Show (A second-place finish is given the title of reserve world’s champion (RWC). Horses may also earn the world’s grand championship (WGC) or World’s Championship of champions (WCC) title.

And while everyone knows Kentucky is the Horse Capital of the World and the Bluegrass State is home to the Kentucky Derby, the Commonwealth’s thoroughbreds aren’t the only horses that make our state famous. The American Saddlebred is a horse breed referred to as the “Horse America Made.” Descended from riding-type horses bred at the time of the American Revolution, the American Saddlebred includes the Narragansett Pacer, Canadian Pacer, Morgan, and, interestingly, the Thoroughbred among its ancestors.

The Saddlebred developed into its modern type in Kentucky, once known as the “Kentucky Saddler.” In 1891 the first breed registry was formed in the United States, now known as the American Saddlebred Horse and Breeders Association (ASHBA). What does all this boil down to for these signature Kentucky horse breeds? Saddlebreds are bred to show, while Thoroughbreds are born to run.

This year’s “Champion of Champion” in the World’s Championship Five-Gaited division was Epoque Kiss NKF.